Browsing by Author "Asingura, David Wamananu"

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    Applicability and Feasibility of Locally Available Biogas Purification Options in Uganda.
    (Makerere University Business School, 2025-12-11) Asingura, David Wamananu
    This study rigorously evaluated the techno-economic and environmental performance of two locally accessible biogas purification methods namely activated carbon adsorption and water scrubbing in the context of rural Uganda, where energy access remains limited. Biogas, primarily methane (CH₄), is often contaminated with impurities such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which diminish its calorific value and pose health, environmental, and infrastructural risks. Employing a quantitative experimental design at Makerere University Business School’s Green Unit Laboratory, the study assessed purification efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impacts using locally sourced materials. Results indicated that water scrubbing achieves a higher methane concentration (81.33% vs. 79.00%) and CO₂ removal efficiency (63.57% vs. 58.58%), while activated carbon excels in H₂S removal (68.42% vs. 42.11%), critical for corrosion prevention and safety. Techno-economic analysis revealed water scrubbing’s lower Leveled Cost of Biogas Purification (LCOBP) ($0.46/m³ vs. $0.71/m³), driven by reduced capital and operational expenditures, with sensitivity analyses confirming cost advantages at scale (LCOBP: $0.31/m³ at 2,600.63 m³/year). Environmentally, water scrubbing avoided 14.94 kg CO₂-equivalent emissions annually, slightly outperforming activated carbon (13.86 kg CO₂-eq/year), though the latter’s superior H₂S removal yields greater climate benefits when Global Warming Potential (GWP₁₀₀ = 13) is considered (236.6 vs. 144.3 kg CO₂-eq/year). Grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) framework, the study highlights the competitive advantage of leveraging local resources (water, agricultural waste) for sustainable biogas production. Recommendations include prioritizing water scrubbing for cost-sensitive rural applications, using activated carbon for H₂S-heavy feedstock’s, and exploring hybrid systems to optimize performance. These findings align with Uganda’s National Biogas Strategy (2023–2030) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 7, 13, 1), offering a scalable model for enhancing energy security, environmental sustainability, and rural livelihoods through community-driven biogas purification.